My Dad was one of my heroes when I was growing up. I marveled at his ability to tackle anything. I admired his ability to work with people. I was curious about his mental fortitude and athletic abilities. I trusted him and believed he was able to help me.
A story that reveals my trust in my Dad’s ability happened when I was about eight or nine years old. As a family, we were throwing the frisbee in the back yard. An errant throw drifted up on the roof of our home. I quickly climbed up a fence next to the house and collected the frisbee. I tossed it down to my Dad who was standing on the ground right below me. I turned to head back to the fence in order to return to ground level.
Dad said, “Just slide off the roof here into my arms. Save you going back and climbing down the fence.” He was standing on concrete.
On the one hand, that sounded exciting—a quick exodus from the roof and back to the game we were playing. On the other hand, it meant laying down on the roof and facing upward so I could slide backwards. If I faced the peak of the roof, I could not see my Dad. I would be sliding backwards blindly. Such a departure also meant there would be a moment or two of leaving the roof and dropping without a safety net into the waiting arms of my Dad.
Did I say he was standing on concrete? I would probably be sore if he missed me.
I slid. It was exhilarating! I can still remember the freedom of sliding off a roof unencumbered by ropes, ladder, or fence. More importantly, I remember the joy of trusting my Dad, knowing his word would come true, and landing in his embrace.
Why did I take my Dad up on his offer? I trusted him. Why did I trust my Dad? I knew him. Based on my knowledge of his athleticism, strength, and wisdom, I was convinced that he was able to catch me. Based on his proven care for me, I believed he would not tell me to do something that was foolish. I was secure in the belief that he would catch me.
The life and ministry of the apostle Paul was ridiculously rough, dangerously difficult, and he knew firsthand the loneliness of leadership (2 Cor. 11:23-29). How did he navigate such hardship? To whom did he turn for wisdom and strength? Where did he find his comfort and security?
When mentoring his young friend, Paul gave Timothy the secret sauce. He wrote this to the young pastor…
2 Timothy 1:12b
I worked with a number of people who suffer from a father wound. They did not always trust their father’s wisdom, strength, or care for them. I know that a damaging relationship can damage one’s view of God. Remembering a Dad, an important person in the home, who was not able or was not willing to offer comfort and security can alter our understanding of God’s ability.
Get to know your God. Discover that He is willing to help you. Become convinced that He is able. Entrust yourself to Him.
I encourage you to discover God in a fresh way this new calendar year. I cannot stress enough the need to get to know Him. Salvation and sanctification are not the result of believing in doctrine or creeds. A sinner is saved by believing in a person—Jesus Christ our Savior. We are transformed into His likeness by getting to know Him. The more you know Him, the more you will trust Him. The more you trust Him, the more you will experience that He is able to help you in all situations.
We are loved and challenged by Jesus Christ throughout life. Such knowledge builds up in our hearts and minds as we take time to recognize God at work. Count your blessings. Be intentional about identifying God Sightings (God at work in your life). Not only will you discover that He is able, you will trust Him in the hard times.
May Jesus make Himself real to you today. May you discover and experience this rich truth: God is able.
Love and blessings,
Dave